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China explains their ‘silence’ over research ship issue in Sri Lanka (Pics)

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A top Chinese diplomat in Sri Lanka has said that some countries consider Sri Lanka’s barring of scientific research vessels including those from China, as a diplomatic victory.

Speaking during an interactive session with a group of journalists at the Colombo Port City yesterday (Sep. 12), Deputy Chief of the Chinese embassy in Colombo, Yanwei Zhu said that widespread public concern was raised on Chinese social media over the matter, wondering as to why Sri Lanka, as a friendly nation, had taken such a measure.

Mr. Yanwei said that China fully respects the decision of Sri Lanka as an independent and sovereign nation.

However, he said that there is an issue whether the decision was actually made by the Sri Lanka government independently or otherwise.

“Another issue is whether this decision is made by Sri Lanka government independently or because of outside pressure. To be honest, we heard a lot of rumours… When Sri Lanka government made such a decision, China kept silent… Because we respect our friend… We understand the difficult situation our friend has been facing since last two years. Because some countries took advantage of the difficulty of Sri Lanka and gave a lot of pressure to our Sri Lankan friends,” he said.

We do not want to put our friends in an awkward situation. Therefore we kept silent, he said.

However ‘some friends’ considered the decision to bar scientific research vessels as a ‘diplomatic victory’, Mr. Yanwei said.

History and future will prove to our Sri Lankan friends that China is the real good friend and partner and we are ready to walk together with Sri Lanka, he added.

He also pointed out that the research onboard such vessels are not done alone by China but done in collaboration with Sri Lanka, which lacks the capacity to conduct such research on its own.

He questioned which other country with the capacity and willingness has stepped into conduct joint research in this manner with Sri Lanka.

Without the permission of Sri Lanka, the information of this research cannot be shared with anyone, he emphasized.

Addressing the event, Chinese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong reiterated that the friendship between China can be traced back to 2,000 years.

Speaking on the upcoming election in Sri Lanka, the ambassador further said that if the new government is prepared to strengthen ties with China, they are always willing to remain open to promote friendship and cooperation.

(Pics : Kelum Shivantha | Shanika Jayasekara)

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Heavy showers forecast today

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The Department of Meteorology says that showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and North-western provinces today (June 14).

Heavy rains of about 100 mm are likely in some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, Matara, and Puttalam districts.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern Province and in the Anuradhapura district.

Strong winds of about 50–60 km/h can be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, and Southern provinces, and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds.

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President AKD meets German Minister for Economic Cooperation & Development

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake, currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, met this afternoon (June 13) with the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Berlin.

The discussion focused on the shared economic challenges both countries face in the context of emerging global economic trends. The two sides engaged in a comprehensive dialogue on potential areas for further strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Germany.

The President acknowledged the longstanding history of bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Germany, highlighting Germany’s significant contributions to vocational training institutions such as the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI), as well as to sectors like healthcare. The President conveyed his profound gratitude for this assistance. The discussion also focused on the importance of enhancing such contributions into mutually beneficial partnerships in the future.

Joining the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana and Director General for Europe and North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sugeeshwara Gunaratna along with other officials..

(President’s Media Division)

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SL urges Lankans in Israel & Iran to remain vigilant

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A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism in Sri Lanka has urged both Israel and Iran to ‘exercise restraint, engage in dialogue and pursue diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate the tense situation.’

“Sri Lanka is deeply concerned by the recent developments between Israel and Iran. We urge both countries to exercise restraint, engage in dialogue and pursue diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate the tense situation,” the statement notes.

“The Sri Lanka Missions in both countries are closely monitoring the situation and remain in contact with the Sri Lankan nationals in the respective countries. They are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant, the statement adds.

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